Plushenko wants to become a legend of figure skating

[wmsb]

I think the topic of Hamilton comes from his saying about Stojko should have won in 94......everyone can have his opinion, but let's focus on existing facts.

Then.....if Stojko can be regarded as Legend???

If he cann't, so in this case, the difference between "legend" and "non-legend" is just the Oly gold?

[pangtongfan]

I think Stojko can be called a legend in skating. First man to land a quad combo, first man to land a quad-triple, won Olympic silver with injured groin so bad he could barely walk in one of the gutsiest performances ever, 3 time World Champion, 2 time Olympic silver medalist, competed in 4 Olympics, pushed mens skating forward with his technical ability and mental strength, one of the most popular skaters on Champions on Ice tour for many years. Heck he is the biggest reason guys like Yagudin, Plushenko, and others were throwing quads left and right in their era, Stojko made it neccessary to win for the longest while, which is why seeing Evan win with such a performance was hard for him to take at the time.

And an Olympic Gold is not neccessary to be a legend:

Michelle Kwan
Janet Lynn
Irina Slutskaya
Midori Ito
Kurt Browning
Elvis Stojko
Brian Orser

I would say all those skaters are legendary in their own way and are still household names today.

[Tonichelle]

I think the topic of Hamilton comes from his saying about Stojko should have won in 94......everyone can have his opinion, but let's focus on existing facts.

again, putting into context - most N. American commentators agreed, and continue to agree about that one... it all comes down to taste. technical (stojko) over theatrical (urmanov)... pretty sure if Scott could have his way Browning wouldn't have flubbed the short and would have finally gotten the dang title.

[pangtongfan]

Actually Boitano winning again would have been Scotts first choice. Browning winning was just most everyone elses. Petrenko winning was not my preference, but what I thought would happen. Oh well thats sport. The only way to make Chan beatable in Sochi is to go back to the 6.0 system though. Fat chance of that.

[ciocio]

The predictions about Sochi are the most ridiculous thing I´ve ever seen. It takes only one serious injury and Plushenko, Chan, Kozuka, etc, can kiss Sochi goodbye.

[seniorita]

Plushenko, well, isn't Scotty's cup of tea. He's not alone in that opinion. And his opinion didn't sway people's judgement one way or the other on that matter.

Well yes Plu was not his cup of tea and he was not alone, but that can be said for everyone and it doesnt justify anything. In my opinion IF you are a commentator you have to leave your personal preferences aside and report the competitions and what is happening.. All commentators belong to one country, but not all of them have the tedancy to gush about their favs and diminish the rest. Anyway it is his own style, I have respect for Hamilton.

There's no reason to believe he was anti-Yagudin and pro-Goebel. More like overly cautious after the mess he and Sandy caused in the previous event.

You said he was anti-Plush, so why I cant believe he was anti-Yag and pro-Goebel? The fact is that PLu was doing since 1998 the COI tour. Did you see them in Worlds 2011, all hugs and kisses? Plushy went to SOI last winter

again, putting into context - most N. American commentators agreed, and continue to agree about that one... it all comes down to taste. technical (stojko) over theatrical (urmanov)...

Times and taste change, I thought 2010 time most N.A commentators were all about all around artistic skater(EVAN) versus technical (PLU).
One > thing I remember for VAncouver is his commentary in gala about Plushenko, after a week of making clear his preference before and during competition, in the gala the difference was so striking that my first thought was Well now Evan is OC, we can praise Plu again.

[Olympia]

Anyway it doesnt matter. Point is both Plushenko and Stojko were dominant skaters, and Plushenko's competitive record is not that far above Stojko's. The only real difference is the Oly Gold really as others said. It would be exciting to see the two together in their primes. Plushenko is the better skater, but he would have his hands full. Stojko was just as much a competitor, if not more.

On this I agree. One trait Plushenko and Stojko have in common is absolute coolness under pressure. Of all the people I would wish to see compete with Plushenko in his prime, Stojko probably leads the list for that reason. The fans would probably have to sit all the way back in the last row or be burned by the blast-furnace intensity generated by these two. In terms of style, there's no competition: Plushenko has the greater measure of correctness of movement and jump positions. But Stojko is not just a jumping machine like Goebel (whose unfortunate slouch always made him look a bit ungraceful on the ice). Elvis has a roughneck style that suits him--he's built of solid muscle, like a fireplug, and would look silly holding the limb extensions that look natural on the slimmer, Russian-trained Plushenko. Plushenko always reminds me of one of those nineteenth-century violin virtuosos who traveled in a private railroad car and performed before the crowned heads of Europe. Stojko is a dirt-bike rider who probably could build a house with his own hands.

[let`s talk]

There is no defense for Hamilton's stupidity there, nor his stupidity in helping to create the pairs scandal for the highly overrated Sale & Pelletier, but that is another topic.

Here I agree with you fully. But let's not judge harshly. It's a known fact that people without turmors say stupid things too!

[seniorita]

It's a known fact that people without turmors say stupid things too!

?

yeah...and it doesnt need to go that far away to see it, this thread wil do.

[pangtongfan]

On another note a few edges I think Stojko has over Plushenko:

1. Elvis clearly has better spins. It isnt even really a debate.
2. Elvis at his best had as good or arguably better footwork.
3. Elvis had more sincere programs which were true to himself and his own image of skating, even if you didnt like them or their concepts. Plushenkos often were superficial in a sense.

That said I do still consider Plushenko the better skater overall probably. And on that note I end my comments on Stojko who I never even liked anyway and dont care to discuss any further than I already have. Just am glad most are apparently wise enough to see he was indeed the dominant skater of his own era like Plushenko was in the post Yagdin era, and his competitive record does not lag far behind Plushenko as a few initially suggested. He deserves his due for that.

[bestskate8]

On another note a few edges I think Stojko has over Plushenko:

1. Elvis clearly has better spins. It isnt even really a debate.
2. Elvis at his best had as good or arguably better footwork.
3. Elvis had more sincere programs which were true to himself and his own image of skating, even if you didnt like them or their concepts. Plushenkos often were superficial in a sense.

That said I do still consider Plushenko the better skater overall probably. And on that note I end my comments on Stojko who I never even liked anyway and dont care to discuss any further than I already have. Just am glad most are apparently wise enough to see he was indeed the dominant skater of his own era like Plushenko was in the post Yagdin era, and his competitive record does not lag far behind Plushenko as a few initially suggested. He deserves his due for that.

exactly what programs did you compare

[Neda]

I am one of those cranks who became Plushenko's fan only after 2010 Olympics. Earlier I didn't understand how one could root for a living Terminator who never fails to get gold. It's so boring – no nerves, no surprises, no happiness. On Vancouver podium for the first time of many years I saw a human, not a medal harvester. May be his behavior at that moment was far from perfect but personally I prefer a desperate child to arrogant demigod. I think he comes back not in vain and I hope many people will be surprised to see new Plushenko. The point where I disagree with the most of you is that Plushenko was on his prime at 2001-2004. Actually, he never was on his prime and 4+3+3 combination never was the ceiling of his potential. He became stagnating at the age of 20 when Yaguding retired. He made all of his records during this great battle but later he just harvested gold medals and deteriorated. Every year he was worse and worse but this was not only because of injuries and definitely not because of age. Just each time he discovered that he could win with easier program. So I'm glad that he had missed gold at recent Olympics and even more that now Chan has soared to an unattainable height. It gives hope to see at last Plushenko's 4+4 combination and quad lutz or something else. May be he won't defeat Chan with that but he still can make some new records and add some points to his legendary status. I wish him in next three seasons to bring something more to figure skating then medals.

[janetfan]

I am one of those cranks who became Plushenko's fan only after 2010 Olympics. Earlier I didn't understand how one could root for a living Terminator who never fails to get gold. It's so boring – no nerves, no surprises, no happiness. On Vancouver podium for the first time of many years I saw a human, not a medal harvester. May be his behavior at that moment was far from perfect but personally I prefer a desperate child to arrogant demigod. I think he comes back not in vain and I hope many people will be surprised to see new Plushenko. The point where I disagree with the most of you is that Plushenko was on his prime at 2001-2004. Actually, he never was on his prime and 4+3+3 combination never was the ceiling of his potential. He became stagnating at the age of 20 when Yaguding retired. He made all of his records during this great battle but later he just harvested gold medals and deteriorated. Every year he was worse and worse but this was not only because of injuries and definitely not because of age. Just each time he discovered that he could win with easier program. So I'm glad that he had missed gold at recent Olympics and even more that now Chan has soared to an unattainable height. It gives hope to see at last Plushenko's 4+4 combination and quad lutz or something else. May be he won't defeat Chan with that but he still can make some new records and add some points to his legendary status. I wish him in next three seasons to bring something more to figure skating then medals.

Nice post. Skating has few stars of Plushy's magnitude and it is good for the sport if he sticks around.

This time around I might even be in his corner and I look forward to seeing him compete again.

And of course we never know what will come out of his mouth at interviews

[gmyers]

I am one of those cranks who became Plushenko's fan only after 2010 Olympics. Earlier I didn't understand how one could root for a living Terminator who never fails to get gold.

WHOLE POST!

.

This is such an interesting appraisal of Plushenko's career and possible future!

[wmsb]

I can hardly agree that "He made all of his records during this great battle but later he just harvested gold medals and deteriorated. Every year he was worse and worse".

Technically, Plu did 433 in 2002 and 2003 (then he might realize it's not necessary) and kept 2 quads or 3A3F in long program until 2004 World. And he continued to win 6.0 until 04 World.

As for program, it's difficult for me to make decision beween once upon a time in America and Saint Peterburg 300 years. Nijinski is a little bit weird to me so I put it at the same level as Godfather. It's just personal taste because seems lots of people love Nijinski.

Anyway, he did get worse after 2005 (especially in technique because artistic is very subject) and 2006 is definitely not his prime. In 2010, he is worser and maybe 2014 will be worserer

He cann't add any point to his legendary status because according to pjf, his 09/10 season only decreased the status and it is predictable that even if he struggle to stand on podium in the following 3 years, his status will only be lower and lower
(btw, I don't believe he can use 44 in competition)